Goals from McConville and Mackin sees Armagh breeze past Meath at home

Two goals either side of half-time helped Armagh cruise to a 12-point win over Meath at The BOX-IT Athletic Grounds on Saturday evening.

The game had been tight for the opening half hour, before Oisin Conaty – who had an outstanding game at corner forward – supplied Cian McConville the ball 10 yards out from goal and the Crossmaglen man was clinical in finding the top corner.

That helped Armagh into a 1-8 to 0-5 half-time lead which was increased just minutes after the interval when Meath failed to clear their lines from a high ball and Ciaran Mackin profited, drilling his shot into the roof of the net.

From that point on Armagh were in cruise control and with the benefit of impressive substitute performances from Jarly Og Burns and Oisin O’Neill, they added to their tally and saw out their second win in as many league games.

“It’s funny, I felt more elated last week because it was close near the end and we got the win,” reflected victorious manager Kieran McGeeney post-match.

“This week we got the goals that we missed from last week and it gave us a bit of a cushion.

“Meath probably went for goals at the end there when they could’ve clipped points, so every scoreboard doesn’t tell the true story but we’re delighted to get out of it and get the two points.

“Oisin Conaty was superb, his pace and his power, Cian [McConville] was smart enough to follow in for the goal.

“We still missed a couple in the first 10 or 12 minutes where we gave the ball away, but that goal gave us a real good cushion going in at half-time, you can play with a wee bit more freedom when that happens.”

For more reaction and full match report see this week’s Newry Reporter – in shops Wednesday February 7!